Common Conditions

Surgeons Perform First Penis Transplant in the U.S.

Jun 07, 2016

The operation took about 15 hours and involved over a dozen surgical specialists. But in the end, a medical team from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston performed the first penis transplant in the United States.

The patient, 64-year-old Thomas Manning, was recovering well when the announcement was made on May 16th. His body was not rejecting the new penis, there were no signs of infection, and blood was flowing properly.

Mr. Manning had had his penis amputated because of penile cancer, which was discovered after a work accident in 2012. Left with a short stump, he had to sit down to urinate and could not perform sexually at all.

His doctors say they are “cautiously optimistic” that he will recover his sexual function eventually. However, his urinary function is expected to return to normal and the penis should look like his natural genitals.

The transplanted penis came from a deceased donor who had the same blood type and skin tone as Mr. Manning.

As a transplant recipient, Mr. Manning will need to take immunosuppression drugs for the rest of his life. These medications ensure that his body does not reject the new penis.

Surgeons Curtis L. Cetrulo, Jr., MD and Dicken S.C. Ko, MD had been studying the feasibility of a penis transplant for over three years, with assistance from urologists, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, and other professionals at the hospital.

After completing a successful hand transplant, the team began preparing for a penis transplant. They studied the intricate connection of tissues, blood vessels, and nerves, practicing their technique on cadavers.

Genital injuries can be devastating for men, both physically and psychologically. Damage to their “manhood” can make them feel less complete.

“We are hopeful that these reconstructive techniques will allow us to alleviate the suffering and despair of those who have experienced devastating genitourinary injuries and are often so despondent they consider taking their own lives,” said Dr. Cetrulo in a press release.

In his own statement, Mr. Manning said, “Today, I begin a new chapter filled with personal hope and hope for others who have suffered genital injuries, particularly for our service members who put their lives on the line and suffer serious damage as a result.”

He added, “In sharing this success with all of you, it’s my hope we can usher in a bright future for this type of transplantation. Thank you.”

Two other penis transplants have been performed worldwide, but only one has been successful. That patient, a 21-year-old man from South Africa, was able to impregnate his girlfriend just months after surgery.